Adjustable scale washing machine structure



May 3 W66 J. l.. KLEINMAN 3,248,911

ADJUSTABLE SCALE WASHING MACHINE STRUCTURE Filed Jan. ll, 1965 IN VEN TOR.

M/f www? United States Patent() 3,248,911 ADJUSTABLE SCALE WASHING MACHINE STRUCTURE Jacob L. Kleinman, New York, N.Y. (Yitzhak Sadeh St. 88, Tel-Aviv, Israel) Filed Jan. 11, 1965, Ser. No. 424,525 Claims. -(Cl. 68-13) This application is filed as a continuation in part of my copending application for Adjustable Scale Washing Machine S.N. 304,089, filed August 23, 1963, and now abandoned; which was tiled as an improvement and continuation in part of my then copending application for Scale-Washing Machine :Combination S.N. 84,448, ywhich was tiled on January 23, 1961, now Patent No. 3,101,802.

This invention relates to the construction of washing machines, and more particularly so to a washing machine provided with weighing means for weighing the laundry to ascertain the correct weight of such laundry before placing same into the wash-tub of such washing machine for washing purposes.

In accordance with my present invention, I produce a washing machine comprising a cabinet provided with three chambers or compartments co-operating with each other for washing purposes; and -wherein such washing machine may be of the top loading type and'maybe lprovided with means for weighing the laundry before being placed into the wash-tub.

A primary object `of the present invention is the provision of a cabinet, for use as a washing implement,l

wherein such cabinet is provided with three compartments, one compartment for housing therein a washing mechanism, the second compartment for serving as a wash-tub and being urged by the said mechanism into washing operation, and the third compartment for serving as a basin t-o hold laundry therein which may be dropped automatically into said second compartment for Washing purposes.

A very important object of this invention is the provision of an upper compartment kwhich may be provided with a slot for having a partition member moved slidably therethrough into such upper compartment for dividing same into two chambers, one of such chambers serving as a Wash-tub compartment and the other chamber v serving as a basket or basin compartment.

Another important-.object :of this invention is the .provision of moving the partition member slidably into normal closed position for covering the top opening of the wash-tub chamber and simultaneously therewith forming the .floor of kthe basin for holding laundry in position above the wash-tub .chamber and for being moved out of such .normal closed position to have the laundry located on the basin floor dropped automatically into the wash tub chamber for washing purposes.

A very important object of this invention is the provision of weighing means associated with the basinoor for weighing laundryzlocated `within such basin.

Another important object of this vinvention istheprovision of indicating means, .for example, -such as numerals and a pointer for indicating the weight of the laundry located within the basin. y

These and various other objects and features of theinvention will become apparent from the kfollowing description relating to the accompanying drawlng, wherein one form of the invention .is illustrated, and wherein the -accomplishment of theabove and other objects of the invention will be readily -understood on references to the herein, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of my washing machine, showing the partition or scale-structure in closed position covering the wash-tub compartment, and simultaneously N3,248,911 Patented May 3, 19.66

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therewith such partitionfforming the floorof a basket or basin located above the wash-tub, and having the front portion of the scale-structure partly removed from its normal position for showing the pointer in position to indicate the vweight numerals, and also showing the basin cover in an open position for disclosing the -oatable weighing platform Vof the scale structure, and showing the wash-tub .door in closed position covering the washtub andalsocoveringthe mechanism compartment;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to the one-shown in FIG. 1, showing `the basin cover innormal closed position and indicating by dotted lines the direction of the slidable movement of the partition `or-scale structure `into a position exteriorlyof the cabinet;

FIG. 3 is a fragmental cross-sectional view taken along the line 3 3 of FIG. 2 showing the normal positon of the partition or scale structure covering the top opening of the wash-tub andsimultaneously therewith providing the floor for the basin; Y

FIG. 4 is a fr-agmental cross-sectional View, showing y the `partition or scale structure moved out of its normalposition uncovering the wash-tub opening for having the laundry dropped automatically from the basin into the wash-tub;

FIG. 5 is a View taken along the lines 5-5 of FIG. 3, showing the front plate moved partly out of normal position for .uncovering the pointer and indicating numerals;

FIG. 6. is a fragmental cross-sectional view of the scale` structure supported `in its operational action 'by a spring element which may be associated with the hinge section;

FIG. 7 is a fragmental cross-sectional view taken along the lines of 7-7 of FIG. l, showing the dotted lines indicating the downward movements of the pointer during weighing operation;

FIG. 8 'is a cross-sectional view showing the vmanner in which the front plate is carried by the front portion of the scale structure; and

FIG. 9.is a fragmental.cross-sectional view of the scale structure showing the utilization of a coil-spring for weighing purposes.

I am showingthe several gures or views of my invention by way of example for illustrative purposes and for a better and clearer undentanding of my invention, and not for limitation purposes.

The size .of the parts shown in the drawings herein, and the spacing therebetween, being .exaggerated for clarification purposes, and foreasier understanding.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, in which similar reference characters identify similar parts in the several views, in the novel structure of my invention:

Arrow A indicates my novel washing-machine and scale combination .comprising a hollow cabinet B which is provided `at its lower section with a receptacle or chamber 11l and immediately thereover with `a compartment 11 (FIG. 1).

A wall portion of the compartment 11 is provided with an -opening or slot y14 (FIG. 4) for having a partition element or scale-structure 15 positioned therein for being moved slidably, upon supporting means 16', into such compartment 11' for dividing same into two chambers; in a manner forming a roof for covering the top opening of the lower chamber of such compartment 11', which is adapted tio-serve as a wash-tub section, and simutaneously therewith forming the floor of the upper chamber which is adapted to serve as a basket or basin 11 for housing articles therein. Thus my cabinet B comprises three chambers; namely, the upper chamber 11 adapted to house articles therein, the middle chamber 11 for serving as a wash-tub section and the lower chamber or receptacle 11l to house the motorized washing mechanism therein.

The motorized washing mechanism of a rwashingmachine is usually located in the lowermost chamber lor receptacle of the washing machine, and in combination with elements of the wash-tub such mechanism is adapted, or arranged, to urge the agitation or movements of articleslocated in thewash-tub chamber for cleaning purposes; this part being of the usual type is therefore not shown nor described herein.

The partition element 15, by being moved into the compartment 11', is adapted to divide such compartment into two separate chambers, one chamber located above the partition 15 and the other chamber located underneath such partition 15; by moving the partition 15 outwardly the two chambers become converted into a single cornpartment; thus my partition performs several functions, namely, changing one compartment into two chambers and also retransforming such two chambers into -a single compartment, utilizable for various purposes.

The partition or scale-structure 15 comprises a floor or base portion 16 having a front section 17 and wall portions 18. The front section 17 is provided with an opening or slot 19 (FIGS. l and 5) having numerals N located adjacent thereto.

The scale-structure 15 comprises a tloatable` or hingeable plate or platform 21 secured to the floor portion 16 by suitable means, for example, such as pivotal element 22; such scale-structure or platform 21 may be provided with suitable spring means, for example, such as indicated by numeral 24', carried by the pivotal element 22, or a coil-spring structure as indicated by numeral 24 (FIG. 9), for urging such platform 21 into transverse movements relative to the floor portion 16, for weighing articles located upon such platform while in the basket or basin 11.

The pointer 25 in cooperation with the slot 19 may provide the means for limiting transverse movements of the platform 21, or indicate overloading of the wash-tub chamber.

The portion or section indicated by the letter S will check the outward movement of the partition 15 and prevent displacement of such partition 15 from its normal position.

The front portion 17 of the partition or scale structure 15 may be provided with a cover member 27 having a knob or other suitable gripping means, for example, such as indicated by numeral 28, for moving the scale structure or partition 15 out of normal position and also into normal position. Such cover member 27 may be carried by thefront portion 17 in any suitable manner, for example, having its side end portions 31, or part thereof, bend or curved over parts of the front sections 17 (FIG. 8) in a manner being movable thereon into positions for covering and/or uncovering the numerals N and the pointer 25. In case the front portion 17 is not provided with the member 27, then the gripping means may be formed directly upon the front portion 17.

The basin-cover 12 may be secured to the basin 11 by various suitable means, for example, pivotal means as suggested by the hinge structure 12', and may be provided with a knob 32 (or other suitable gripping means) for moving such cover 12 out of its normal position to uncover the basket or basin 11 for placing laundry therein, and also for moving such cover 12 into normal position for covering such basin 11, thus utilizing such basin 11 for housing laundry therein, thereby eliminating the necessity of using a laundry basket.

My invention may be utilized in the following manner:

The partition or scale structure indicated by arrow 15 is normally located in closed position within the cabinet A, covering the top-opening of the wash-tub 11 and simultaneously therewith forming the floor for the basket or basin 11 (FIG. 3) for the user to place laundry therein; and when desired, the user may move the cover-plate 27 out of normal position, for uncovering the numerals N; to ascertain the proper weight of the amount of laundry located within the basin 11, as may be indicated by the pointer 25 (see dotted lines 25 FIG. 7), at which time the user may move the partition or scale structure 15 out of its normal position, uncovering the opening of the laundry chamber, and cause the laundry located in the basin 11 to be dropped automatically from such basin directly into the wash-tub 11 wherein such laundry may be agitated for washing purposes by the washing mechanism located in the compartment 11".

Although I am showing one type of scale structure, yet, it is naturally understood that various other forms of scale-structure may be utilized in connection with the partition 15, for weighing purposes. Naturally, the fact that the scale-structure 15 being located normally in a horizontal position while forming the floor of the basin 11, provides practically accurate weighing means for the laundry located within such basin 11. After the laundry has been washed the user may get hold of the knob 34, of the door D, and move such door D into an open position for the removal of the laundry from the wash-tub 11. When not in use such door D and the basin-:over 12 and also the cover member 27 as well as the scale structure arrow 15 may each be located in their normal closed position.

It is naturally understood that while I am showing the door D being secured to the cabinet A by means of hinge 12", yet, other forms of hingeable means may be utilized for opening and/or closing such door D. Also, the size or position of the mechanism compartment or receptacle 11, or of the wash-tub section 11', or of the basin 11 is naturally optional with the manufacturer of this item. I am showing the center portion of the door D partly broken away to indicate the approximate location of the mechanism `compartment 11 and of the wash-tub compartment 11'; but it being understood that the arrangement of -the location of such compartments is optional with the manufacturer of this implement; the herein is shown by way of example to explain the novelty of my invention and not for limitation purposes.

From the above it is evident that my invention, herein illustrated and described, teaches an entirely new form of structure in the art of making washing machines. As above pointed out, the cabinet of my washing machine is provided with three (3) compartments and with an 4opening or slot for supporting a partition for assisting in the formation of such three compartments, and wherein such partition is provided with weighing means for weighing laundry located thereon, and wherein such partition is adapted to be moved out of its normal position in a manner causing such laundry to be dropped automatically therefrom directly into the wash-tub compartment for being agitated by the mechanism located in the compartment situated thereunder for washing purposes; and wherein the weighing means is provided with disclosures (N and 25) adapted to indicate the amount of laundry located thereon, and wherein such partition 15 in combination with the upper wall portions of the cabinet A and the cover 12 form a basin 11 for housingv therein laundry items. l

It can thus be seen that I have invented and perfected a washing implement of a new and unique form of structure; my invention teaches an entirely new way of assembling parts into construction of washing machines to obtain results not known heretofore; 4a new combination of parts for performing new and desirable functions; a washing vmachine which is a practical and useful structure; and although I have shown certain preferred forms or illustrations in order to explain and describe the novelty of my invention, yet, by showing such structure, I do not, by any means, limit myself to these structures, nor to the terms used in describing same, as they are for illustrative purposes only. Various suggestions and changes of structure to bring about the functions herein-above lreferred to may be resorted to, and I desire it to be understood that I havesamein mind when showing and describing this invention, and seek protection by Letters Patent. And although I mentioned in describing this invention of what material certain parts may be made,

how they may be formed, shaped or styled, and how they may be assembled, yet I desire it to be understood that this structure, or individual units, or parts thereof, may be made of any suitable material, and shaped, formed, styled or arranged in any suitable or desirable manner, and assembled in any convenient way, and that various changes may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of this invention.

I claim:

1. A washing machine comprising a hollow cabinet having wall portions forming a receptacle and a compartment located above said receptacle, one of said wall portions having an opening extending into said compartment, a partition-element comprising weighing means, said partition-element movable slidably through said opening into said compartment for dividing such compartmentrinto two chambers, on of such chambers located directly above said receptacle for serving as a wash-tub section and the other of such chambers located directly above said wash-tub section and in cornbination with said partition element forming a basin for housing laundry therein, said partition-element forming a roof portion for covering said Wash-tub section and simultaneously therewith forming the floor portion of said basin, said floor portion provided with weighing means for weighing laundry located thereon, said weighing means having means, for indicating the weight of the laundry located within said basin, one of the wall portions of said wash-tub section having a side opening, a door for covering said side opening.

2. In a structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein said partition element comprises a base portion carrying said weighing means and wherein such weighing means is movable transversely relative to the said base portion.

3. In a structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein said partition element comprises a base portion and a platform and spring means located between such base portion and platform for urging such platform into weighing movements during Weighing operation.

4. A washing machine comprising a hollow cabinet having a plurality of wall portions, said wall portions forming a receptacle for housing therein a motorized washing mechanism and also forming a compartment above said receptacle, one of said wall portions having a through opening extending into said compartment, a partion element, said partition element comprising a base portion having a oatable platform and a front section, said front section having a slot provided with numerals located adjacent such slot, said oatable platform having indicating means, said partition element situated in said through opening and being movable slidably into said compartment for dividing such compart- .Ilnt into two separate chambers, one of such chambers serving as a wash-tub section located above said receptacle andthe other of said separa-te chambers in combination with said wall portions and with said partition element forming a basin located above said wash-tub section, said base portion forming a roof for covering the said wash-tub section having the said floatable platform forming the floor portion' of said basin for weighing laundry located in such basin, said floatable platform supported by spring' means for urging such platform into such weighing movements, said indicating means adapted to co-operate with said numerals for indicating the weight of the laundry located in said basin'.

5. In a structure as set forth in claim 4, wherein said indicating means comprises a pointer located .adjacent said numerals for indicating the weight of the laundry located in said basin.

6. In a structure as set forth in claim 4, wherein said front section of said partition element is provided with a member movable slidably thereon for covering and/or uncovering the weight indicating means.

7. In a structure as set forth in claim 4, wherein said front section of the said partition element is provided with gripping means for moving slidably such partition element through said opening into a position exterior- 1y of said cabinet for causing the laundry located in said basin to be dropped automatically from said oating platform directly into said wash-tub section to be agita-ted, therein for washing purposes, and for reverting slidably said partition element into normal position withing said compartment.

8. In a structure as set forth in claim 4, wherein said basin is provided with a cover member secured thereto by hingeable means and wherein said cabinet is provided with a door secured thereto with hingeable means for covering and/or uncovering said wash-up section and said receptacle.

9. In a structure as set forth in claim 4, wherein said floatable platform is situated in a horizontal position and is moveable transversely relative said base portion and is provided with means for limiting said transverse movements.

10. In a structure as set forth in claim 4, including means for preventing displacement of said partition element from its usual postion Within said through opening.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,062,522 11/1962 McCoy 259-154 X 3,127,948 4/1964 Nitenson ,177-144 FOREIGN PATENTS 597,271 1/1948 Great Britain. 726,081 3/ 1955 Great Britain.

IRVING BUNEVICH, Primary Examiner. WILLIAM I, PRICE, WALTER A, SCHEEL, Examiners. 

1. A WASHING MACHINE COMPRISING A HOLLOW CABINET HAVING WALL PORTION FORMING A RECEPTACLE AND A COMPARTMENT LOCATED ABOVE SAID RECEPTACLE, ONE OF SAID WALL PORTIONS HAVING AN OPENING EXTENDING INTO SAID COMPARTMENT, A PARTITION-ELEMENT COMPRISING WEIGHING MEANS, SAID PARTITION-ELEMENT MOVABLE SLIDABLE THROUGH SAID OPENING INTO SAID COMPARTMENTS FOR DIVIDING SUCH COMPARTMENT INTO TWO CHAMBERS, ON OF SUCH CHAMBERS LOCATED DIRECTLY ABOVE SAID RECEPTACLE FOR SERVING AS A WASH-TUB SECTION AND THE OTHER OF SUCH CHAMBERS LOCATED DIRECTLY ABOVE SAID WASH-TUB SECTION AND IN COMBINATION WITH SAID PARTITION ELEMENT FORMING A BASIN FOR HOUSING LAUNDRY THEREIN, SAID PARTITION-ELEMENT FORMING A ROOF PORTION OF COVERING SAID WASH-TUB SECTION SAID SIMULTANEOUSLY THEREWITH FORMING THE FLOOR PORTION OF SAID BASIN, SAID FLOOR PORTION PROVIDED WITH WEIGHING MEANS FOR WEIGHING LAUNDRY LOCATED THEREON, SAID WASHING MEANS HAVING MEANS FOR INDICATING THE WEIGHT OF THE 